Rabat archdiocese gets administrator amid Romero inquiry

The Vatican has appointed Father Mario Leon Dorado to provisionally govern the Archdiocese of Rabat while the Holy See investigates Cardinal Archbishop Cristobal Lopez Romero, who stepped aside after AFP reported sexual assault allegations against him.

In a statement dated Saturday, Romero said Dorado, the Apostolic Prefect of Western Sahara, had been named apostolic administrator with “all the rights and faculties granted to resident bishops”. Romero said he would remain the titular bishop of Rabat during the investigation but with his jurisdiction suspended.

An apostolic administrator “sede plena” is appointed when a titular bishop remains in office but is impeded or suspended, according to Romero's statement.

AFP reported on July 8 that at least five women accused Romero of sexual violence and inappropriate behaviour. Moroccan prosecutors and police recently told AFP that no complaint had been filed with the Moroccan judiciary.

Romero said in response to AFP inquiries that he had “committed neither assault nor violence nor sexual harassment”.

Dorado is a Spanish priest who has served in Western Sahara for nearly 25 years, according to the statement.